Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing at least one operation using data in a preferred data layout, while preserving the ability to access the data in an original data layout. The preferred data layout may be independent of the original data layout. The preferred data layout may be selected based on at least one of a characteristic of the data, a characteristic of the computing environment or computing device(s) implementing the computing environment, a characteristic of the at least one operation, or historical performance data. The data may be rearranged or permuted into the preferred layout. A mapping may be determined between the preferred layout and the original layout. During performance of the at least one operation using the data in the preferred layout, another operation may use the mapping to access the data in the original layout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system, and program product related to creating and issuing digital credentials that represent an accomplishment and are linked to one or more digital assets on a peer-to-peer network, such as a blockchain. The method and system combine the features of micro-credentials, scholarships, and digitalization of assets into a single utility.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium of utilizing artificial lighting regulate a circadian clock of a human. By utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit wavelengths associated with human opsin absorption spectra, a device may stimulate opsins in the human. For example, the device may replicate normal sunlight (e.g., based on season or time of day) by emitting light that changes in rhythmic intensity or spectral modulation.

Abstract: A universal stringer head assembly including a cylindrical housing with an interior diameter with the geometry of a cone or wedge with a plurality of orifices passing from the exterior surface to the interior surface. Each orifice is sized and shaped to receive a fastener therethrough. Ideally, at least three orifices are equally spaced about the external circumference of the housing, facilitating the rotatable attachment of at least three fasteners to the rotatable shaft of an associated piece of lawn equipment, for example an edge trimmer.

Abstract: A storing and dispensing container includes a stack of moist wipes, a film pouch, and a rigid flip top that has a lid connected to a flange by a hinge. The flange is affixed to an outer surface of the pouch and surrounds a dispensing orifice. The flange can assume bent and unbent states. The flange has first and second hinges that each extend along a first bending axis, such than when a top wipe is extracted from the package through the dispensing orifice, the first bending axis is pulled away from the stack, and the flange bends about the first bending axis to assume the bent state. In particular embodiments, the hinges can be defined by areas of reduced flange thickness, reduced flange width, and/or reduced flange rigidity. The flange can include a plurality of strengthening ribs, and hinges can be defined by gaps in the ribs.

Abstract: A storing and dispensing container includes a stack of moist wipes, a film pouch, and a rigid flip top that has a lid connected to a flange by a hinge. The flange is affixed to an outer surface of the pouch and surrounds a dispensing orifice. The flange can assume bent and unbent states. The flange has first and second hinges that each extend along a first bending axis, such than when a top wipe is extracted from the package through the dispensing orifice, the first bending axis is pulled away from the stack, and the flange bends about the first bending axis to assume the bent state. In particular embodiments, the hinges can be defined by areas of reduced flange thickness, reduced flange width, and/or reduced flange rigidity. The flange can include a plurality of strengthening ribs, and hinges can be defined by gaps in the ribs.

Abstract: A window and lock control system of a vehicle includes a window control module configured to actuate a window actuator based on a second signal from a power window switch of the rear door when a first signal from a block-out switch of the vehicle is in a first state. When the first signal is in a second state, the window control module does not actuate the window actuator based on the second signal from the power window switch. A lock control module actuates a lock actuator and locks and unlocks the rear door based on a third signal from a power door lock (PDL) switch of the rear door when the first signal is in the first state. When the first signal is in the second state, the lock control module selectively does not actuate the lock actuator based on the third signal from the PDL switch.

Abstract: A system and method to control a cellular device in a vehicle includes determining whether the cellular device is associated with a driver of the vehicle based on a location of the cellular device or an identity of the cellular device. The method also includes signaling the cellular device to inhibit functionality of the cellular device based on determining that the cellular device is associated with the driver of the vehicle. The inhibiting functionality includes disabling one or more functions of the cellular device.

Abstract: The washing apparatus includes a platform that includes an operator station. The platform is adapted to move along the upright surface during cleaning. The platform is positionable along the upright surface along a length of the platform. The washing apparatus includes a powered cleaning structure that has cleaning elements that are adapted to contact the upright surface during cleaning. The powered cleaning structure is supported by the platform along at least a portion of the length of the platform. The washing apparatus includes a hoist system constructed and arranged to move the platform along the upright surface of the structure with lift cables.

Abstract: A method for coating a turbine blade of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method includes applying a lacquer coat to a region of the turbine blade, where the lacquer coat includes chromium particles and/or chromium alloy particles, halides, and a binding agent. The method further includes drying the applied lacquer coat at a temperature between 50° C. and 600° C. with disintegration of the binding agent and subsequent reactive connection at a temperature between 900° C. and 1160° C.

Abstract: The present invention helps generate connected communities of students and educators through access to an increased pool of granular learning resources that benefit from standardization of formats for creating and utilizing individual discussions on individual topics. The present invention also circumvents the complexity of existing repository systems by creating a standard platform format. Because this format is de facto implemented for any educator using the platform, standardized question types (e.g., discussion types or topic types) become functionally interchangeable notwithstanding any particular individuals utilizing the invention. The interchangeability of individual topics allows for creation of a global “topic library,” which may be made available to any educator using the system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provided an impedance-transforming arrangement comprising a plurality of microwave power transistors 41, and at least one intermediate impedance-transforming or matching device 30. The matching device comprises a plurality of elongate microwave transmission lines 31 provided in or on at least one dielectric substrate 32, extending across or through the dielectric substrate. The microwave transmission lines are coupled at one end to the gate pads 47 of the transistor and at the input ends to a signal input terminal for the transmission line. The transmission lines are substantially directly coupled to one another by means of resistive elements 35 providing a current flow path between the two transmission lines in order to reduce any residual tendency to instability caused by manufacturing variations or misalignment in the assembly process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention facilitate the solicitation of user input while allowing for dynamic changes to that input while concurrently ranking the same. Ranking occurs in real-time and allows for a user to alter their contribution or vote until the close of a contribution period allowing real-time influences to be taken into account. Contributions may be provided in response to or as a part of a template driven nomination process. Solicitations of input may occur in the context of a pre-defined slate of options for voting, nominating certain options for a subsequent or concurrent voting process, or choosing/suggest more than one option such as the best of a slate of options or the individual ranking of a slate of options. Embodiments of the present invention capture all user nominations or suggestions while simultaneously providing the real-time ranking and dynamic re-ranking of those nominations or suggestions.

Abstract: A light dispersion device for providing a predictable lighting pattern comprising a Light Emitting Diode (LED) source and a lens. The lens comprising a first optical element for collecting light emitted by the LED source and refracting light into an intermediate lighting pattern, and a second optical element for collecting at least light refracted in the intermediate lighting pattern and refracting light into the predictable lighting pattern. A lens comprising a first optical element for collecting light emitted by a source of light and refracting light into an intermediate lighting pattern, and a second optical element for collecting at least light refracted in the intermediate lighting pattern and refracting light into the predictable lighting pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention facilitate the solicitation of user input while allowing for dynamic changes to that input while concurrently ranking the same. Ranking occurs in real-time and allows for a user to alter their contribution or vote until the close of a contribution period allowing real-time influences to be taken into account. Contributions may be provided in response to or as a part of a template driven nomination process. Solicitations of input may occur in the context of a pre-defined slate of options for voting, nominating certain options for a subsequent or concurrent voting process, or choosing/suggest more than one option such as the best of a slate of options or the individual ranking of a slate of options. Embodiments of the present invention capture all user nominations or suggestions while simultaneously providing the real-time ranking and dynamic re-ranking of those nominations or suggestions.

Abstract: A mobile device application allows a user to participate in a collaborative discussion. The collaborative discussion may allow multiple users to collaborate in a formatted discussion on a variety of topics. The collaborative discussion may be associated with media content provided through a media reader application. A user may act as an administrator to create a collaborate discussion and configure parameters or the collaborative discussion via the user's mobile device. A user may access the media content through the media reader application and provide input to the collaborative discussion in real time. The media may include an electronic book, magazine, article or other media content. The input received from the user may include a comment, vote, brainstorm content, various collaborative engagement structures or other data. The collaborative discussion may be accessed through a mobile device application or a network browser.

Abstract: The present invention helps generate connected communities of students and educators through access to an increased pool of granular learning resources that benefit from standardization of formats for creating and utilizing individual discussions on individual topics. The present invention also circumvents the complexity of existing repository systems by creating a standard platform format. Because this format is de facto implemented for any educator using the platform, standardized question types (e.g., discussion types or topic types) become functionally interchangeable notwithstanding any particular individuals utilizing the invention. The interchangeability of individual topics allows for creation of a global “topic library,” which may be made available to any educator using the system.

Abstract: A collaborative learning service allows for a participant to create and share content for discussion with other participants in an online learning environment. Tagged content along with descriptive content regarding the tagged content is received from a participant. The content may be associated with a particular topic and/or forum. The content is published into a forum for discussion amongst participants. Following the publishing of the content to the online learning environment, participants, such as educators and students, may discuss, interact, and collaborate with one another regarding the content. The content may be stored in a library of topics for subsequent retrieval by any participant namely an educator.

Abstract: A mobile device application allows a user to participate in a collaborative discussion. The collaborative discussion may allow multiple users to collaborate in a formatted discussion on a variety of topics. The collaborative discussion may be associated with media content provided through a media reader application. A user may act as an administrator to create a collaborate discussion and configure parameters or the collaborative discussion via the user's mobile device. A user may access the media content through the media reader application and provide input to the collaborative discussion in real time. The media may include an electronic book, magazine, article or other media content. The input received from the user may include a comment, vote, brainstorm content, various collaborative engagement structures or other data. The collaborative discussion may be accessed through a mobile device application or a network browser.

Abstract: A collaborative learning service allows for a participant to create and share content for discussion with other participants in an online learning environment. Tagged content along with descriptive content regarding the tagged content is received from a participant. The content may be associated with a particular topic and/or forum. The content is published into a forum for discussion amongst participants. Following the publishing of the content to the online learning environment, participants, such as educators and students, may discuss, interact, and collaborate with one another regarding the content. The content may be stored in a library of topics for subsequent retrieval by any participant namely an educator.